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Mended by Love
Honor, Duty, Love – Can a Broken Duke ever be Mended? NOW a No1 Bestseller
“Well, I do not feel like marrying.” Duke Harcourt Beckleham could not think of any woman who could tempt him to marry -- yet he knew that he must. For the sake of the duchy and for the sake of his sisters, he must bring much needed income into the estate. This is made very clear when an unfortunate incident leaves him indisposed in front of some local merchants. Can he keep secret the state of the duchy?
Harry Beckleham was a solider, much more at home fighting Napoleons troops than making polite conversation with the ton. However, he understood that as the Duke of Arleton he had duties. An overheard conversation between his sisters brought home just how real it all was.
“I shall just pretend to be passionate about the older fashions. After all, I still have some very beautiful gowns.” Edith was as bright and light as always.
“That’s not what others will see, darling,” Georgian had told her.
Harry knew she was right, soon everyone would know they were broke. This should have been his sister's finest season. They could not attend in old gowns no matter how beautiful. He would have to marry.
As the nightmares of his past life come back to haunt him he escapes to his town house for one last week little knowing that it will change his life forever.
A meeting with a local seamstress, a plot to destroy the duchy, and a lady placed in danger are all part of this light, clean, and fun historical romance.
“Well, I do not feel like marrying.” Duke Harcourt Beckleham could not think of any woman who could tempt him to marry -- yet he knew that he must. For the sake of the duchy and for the sake of his sisters, he must bring much needed income into the estate. This is made very clear when an unfortunate incident leaves him indisposed in front of some local merchants. Can he keep secret the state of the duchy?
Harry Beckleham was a solider, much more at home fighting Napoleons troops than making polite conversation with the ton. However, he understood that as the Duke of Arleton he had duties. An overheard conversation between his sisters brought home just how real it all was.
“I shall just pretend to be passionate about the older fashions. After all, I still have some very beautiful gowns.” Edith was as bright and light as always.
“That’s not what others will see, darling,” Georgian had told her.
Harry knew she was right, soon everyone would know they were broke. This should have been his sister's finest season. They could not attend in old gowns no matter how beautiful. He would have to marry.
As the nightmares of his past life come back to haunt him he escapes to his town house for one last week little knowing that it will change his life forever.
A meeting with a local seamstress, a plot to destroy the duchy, and a lady placed in danger are all part of this light, clean, and fun historical romance.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2016
132 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Darcy
110 books35 followersCharlotte Darcy lives in Derbyshire, England. She writes historical romance and the Regency era.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 30, 2018
Duke Harcourt Bertrand Beckleham, is a soldier at heart and has been off to war. War is over, at least for him, and he is back at home, settling down and being pressed to marry.
"...knew what his responsibilities were; the last thing he needed was to be constantly reminded of them. Nor did he have to like it. it was on days like these that Harcourt missed."
Harry moved back home and is trying to get situated into his role as a Duke. The Dutchy is very poor from his father's previous abuse and Harry feels like he needs to marry a duchess for her bride price...money.
Harry leaves for Denmouth to spend some time in his Townhouse. While in town his button on his warn pants breaks off and he finds himself in the local dressmakers shop. There he meets Katherine Porter. It is love at first sight.
My biggest complaint about The Broken Duke is that the author didn't even try to go along with propriety. There is no way a duke would have had a woman measure him to make him new pants. This would have been too intimate and the shop where Mrs. Knox worked was more for women anyway.
Also, I’ve never heard of a Duke going to war. This book doesn't even try to stay close to the ways of this era.
The instalove was not to my liking. The characters become very personal rather fast. There were some attempts to show propriety but it comes off lame and forced. There was even a mistake when a character called an Earl's wife a countess.
Katherine and Mrs. Knox talk about Harry saying, "Ever since you told me about the duke's troubles, I cannot seem to stop thinking about him. Really, it's too awful." The working class had no bearing on what a Duke can and cannot do and the pity in her voice is hardly welcome. If she is supposed to be in lurve with him, the last emotion he would respond to is pity.
Harry, has four sisters who care about him very much. There really is no character development with the sisters. The reader learns their names and that some of them are ready to come "out." But their role in the story is to help Harry and that is all.
The book includes PTSD symptoms from Harry's war days. "...as fit as he could be with a damaged leg and a propensity to the kind of vivid nightmares which made him wake in a cold sweat night after night." There is also talk between Katherine and her father, who suffers from acute depression.
The kindle version I received was distracting. It was choppy with sections and gaps right in the middle of a sentence. It was quite distracting and took away from the book.
Overall, if a reader is looking for something historically accurate, this book is not for you. The author adds in several things that are not accurate for the time but pushed along the story. This book does have a HEA ending but it is quite far fetched. The books theme was sweet; follow your heart and do what feel right not just go after money. Perhaps a modern era would have worked better. The regency period was not the best setting to have a moral theme. I found I was quite bored, for the most part. The characters really weren't to my liking, I didn't like the writing style and the story wasn't for me. I would not recommend.
Content: clean
I received this free from Instafreebie.com.
"...knew what his responsibilities were; the last thing he needed was to be constantly reminded of them. Nor did he have to like it. it was on days like these that Harcourt missed."
Harry moved back home and is trying to get situated into his role as a Duke. The Dutchy is very poor from his father's previous abuse and Harry feels like he needs to marry a duchess for her bride price...money.
Harry leaves for Denmouth to spend some time in his Townhouse. While in town his button on his warn pants breaks off and he finds himself in the local dressmakers shop. There he meets Katherine Porter. It is love at first sight.
My biggest complaint about The Broken Duke is that the author didn't even try to go along with propriety. There is no way a duke would have had a woman measure him to make him new pants. This would have been too intimate and the shop where Mrs. Knox worked was more for women anyway.
Also, I’ve never heard of a Duke going to war. This book doesn't even try to stay close to the ways of this era.
The instalove was not to my liking. The characters become very personal rather fast. There were some attempts to show propriety but it comes off lame and forced. There was even a mistake when a character called an Earl's wife a countess.
Katherine and Mrs. Knox talk about Harry saying, "Ever since you told me about the duke's troubles, I cannot seem to stop thinking about him. Really, it's too awful." The working class had no bearing on what a Duke can and cannot do and the pity in her voice is hardly welcome. If she is supposed to be in lurve with him, the last emotion he would respond to is pity.
Harry, has four sisters who care about him very much. There really is no character development with the sisters. The reader learns their names and that some of them are ready to come "out." But their role in the story is to help Harry and that is all.
The book includes PTSD symptoms from Harry's war days. "...as fit as he could be with a damaged leg and a propensity to the kind of vivid nightmares which made him wake in a cold sweat night after night." There is also talk between Katherine and her father, who suffers from acute depression.
The kindle version I received was distracting. It was choppy with sections and gaps right in the middle of a sentence. It was quite distracting and took away from the book.
Overall, if a reader is looking for something historically accurate, this book is not for you. The author adds in several things that are not accurate for the time but pushed along the story. This book does have a HEA ending but it is quite far fetched. The books theme was sweet; follow your heart and do what feel right not just go after money. Perhaps a modern era would have worked better. The regency period was not the best setting to have a moral theme. I found I was quite bored, for the most part. The characters really weren't to my liking, I didn't like the writing style and the story wasn't for me. I would not recommend.
Content: clean
I received this free from Instafreebie.com.
July 28, 2018
This story had potential, but failed in many ways, not the least in misspellings and poor grammar. Sometimes the dialog was rather over-the-top:
“Katy, tell me what happened. You must, for you shall make yourself ill with weeping if you do not unburden yourself.”
“Oh, Mrs. Knox. I feel so very dreadful, yet I cannot tell you. I cannot!” Katherine was so miserable that her reason was close to giving way.
“That is not true. There is no reason why you cannot tell me.”
“You will hate me, Mrs. Knox. You will scorn me for what I have done.” Katherine’s weeping became more intense.
Mummy Cat Claire's review said much of what I was thinking here
“Katy, tell me what happened. You must, for you shall make yourself ill with weeping if you do not unburden yourself.”
“Oh, Mrs. Knox. I feel so very dreadful, yet I cannot tell you. I cannot!” Katherine was so miserable that her reason was close to giving way.
“That is not true. There is no reason why you cannot tell me.”
“You will hate me, Mrs. Knox. You will scorn me for what I have done.” Katherine’s weeping became more intense.
Mummy Cat Claire's review said much of what I was thinking here
July 9, 2016
I received this book directly from the author for an honest review and it is wonderful. What do you do when you have to make the hard decision on how to save the duchy and get your three sisters married with some kind of dowry. And an aunt who believes you have to marry for money and not for love. Well you take a day to find yourself and end up falling in love with a seamstress because to popped the buttons of your pants and almost lose them. She is a wonderful girl and you are dealing with the deamons from serving in the Army. And have wonderful sisters who would do anything to make you happy and you know that you have found love, but find out that the overseer that you left has stolen from you and treated your tenant farmers badly. I loved this story.
June 17, 2016
I loved this book. It's the delightful story of Harry and Katy.
Harry has returned from the war to find his affairs a mess, his sisters without dresses for the season and his desire to sort it all out very frustrating.
Katy is a seamstress trying to help provide for her family.
Too many scones and a few popped buttons changes the course for both of them.
I really liked that the Duke was not very rich and he put his heart before his need for money. His sisters were especially charming!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. Charlotte Darcy is a new author for me and I am anxious to read her other books!
Harry has returned from the war to find his affairs a mess, his sisters without dresses for the season and his desire to sort it all out very frustrating.
Katy is a seamstress trying to help provide for her family.
Too many scones and a few popped buttons changes the course for both of them.
I really liked that the Duke was not very rich and he put his heart before his need for money. His sisters were especially charming!
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. Charlotte Darcy is a new author for me and I am anxious to read her other books!
June 5, 2016
Another wonderful story by the author!! Harcourt has come home from war a broken man not realizing how bad the Duchy is. He meets Katy a seamstress by accident and the two fall in love. Katy knows their is no future for them. A Duke does not marry out of his class let alone a seamstress!! But low and behold circumstances are going to change for Katy!! A wonderful ending!!!
July 19, 2016
Harry & Katy, love conquers all! I really enjoyed this romance story. It was very entertaining to me. It's not erotica but the lack of naughtiness doesn't take away from this well written love story.
March 30, 2018
A delightful, sometimes hilarious and empathic read. This is a Regency Historical told in modern day language, at least the words the author used were of the last part of the last century and this present; like the word "invites" instead of 'invitations' (in Chapter 11) were not that far out of context from the literal and exact definitions. One more thing, an editing flaw in Chapter 6 the phrase "gentile poverty" instead of 'genteel poverty.' Gentile refers to non~Jews. and most definitely Not the word required here. The author has shown great insight on PTSD suffered by war veterans and her sensitive handling of the subject vis~a~vis the people who romanticize as well as trivialize war and its traumatizing effect on those involved in it is very empathic. This is a very poignant and heart~warming read despite my impatience with Katy's unnecessary paranoia, the author has created such endearing characters as the Duke's sisters and Mrs. Knox.
May 13, 2019
Wonderful sweet Regency read
Ms Darcy is such a gifted writer. I loved reading this book. She alludes to other characters she created in another book, but this completely stands alone. It is richly written, with characters full of wit and compassion. With two of his three sisters ready to make their social appearance, all the Duke needed to find was the monies to support his ducal estate and their comimg out. The discovery that he needed to marry a woman with a large dowry to support these actions was more than a bit dismaying, as was the fact that his estate had been steadily losing money for the past seven years. Katherine, a young seamstress who came to his aid after an unfortunate accident, was a very discreet sounding board for his frustrations, as was her employer. How the Duke was able to meet his needs without abandoning his goals provides a great read.
Ms Darcy is such a gifted writer. I loved reading this book. She alludes to other characters she created in another book, but this completely stands alone. It is richly written, with characters full of wit and compassion. With two of his three sisters ready to make their social appearance, all the Duke needed to find was the monies to support his ducal estate and their comimg out. The discovery that he needed to marry a woman with a large dowry to support these actions was more than a bit dismaying, as was the fact that his estate had been steadily losing money for the past seven years. Katherine, a young seamstress who came to his aid after an unfortunate accident, was a very discreet sounding board for his frustrations, as was her employer. How the Duke was able to meet his needs without abandoning his goals provides a great read.
December 8, 2017
Got this book for free. Just can't get into it. The dialogue and prose in the first scene are blah, blah, blah, been done before. The little bits of information the reader is given don't really endear me to the characters enough to get me past the boring, overdone storyline. I also might have pushed on for a bit if the formatting of the ebook weren't so horrendous. It's as if each sentence gets its own line plus one and then sentences start breaking in the middle. Maybe I'll set this one aside and pick it up again in a few months to see if I can get past these issues, maybe try to read it on a different platform, but right now, it's a No for me. My time is too valuable to spend this much effort on something that's supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable.
July 15, 2018
A sweet and clean romance, one that brings out the nature of soul mates, portrays the love of a man and woman across the great class divide. The story is a bit melodramatic and the language doesn’t always fit the period, but if one can overlook the artistic license taken, then it is a fun romance that can be read by almost anyone from the age of 13. I enjoyed the main characters in this book, but I think that Harry really hit the jackpot with his three sisters who not only stood by him, but supported him all the way. I especially enjoyed the way in which they handled their decision making.
February 5, 2017
I love the fact that this is a good clean book. The duke would rather marry a seamstress without a cent to her name than marry some upper-scale rich snob. Excellent! I like the fact that money is not the most important issue in a relationship: it's feelings for each other. The duke's sisters are absolutely wonderful. I think, in some ways, they were far more enjoyable than the duke's interaction with the seamstress. Oh and the aunt! What a character!
I think you'll enjoy this one.
I think you'll enjoy this one.
April 1, 2019
The worry of what society will think about the abysmal state of the Duchy and what is thought if one marries below them.
The Duke must marry for money to save his 3 sisters and his home, but he’s fallen in love with a seamstress. Will he find out where all the Duchy’s money has gone and save them all?
Good read.
The antagonist in this tale is the Aunt who wants things her way and doesn’t listen or care what others think.
The Duke must marry for money to save his 3 sisters and his home, but he’s fallen in love with a seamstress. Will he find out where all the Duchy’s money has gone and save them all?
Good read.
The antagonist in this tale is the Aunt who wants things her way and doesn’t listen or care what others think.
March 21, 2018
Clean , wholesome , story without becoming " corny.
This is yet another splendid story from my favorite authoress - Charlotte Darcy ! I was actually so drawn into reading this book that
I really couldn't put it down, until it was finished . If you love clean. wholesome books , then this is it .
This is yet another splendid story from my favorite authoress - Charlotte Darcy ! I was actually so drawn into reading this book that
I really couldn't put it down, until it was finished . If you love clean. wholesome books , then this is it .
July 2, 2018
Another sweet read by Charlotte Darcy. Well written and researched. Some amusing moments and some anxious, Harry's sisters are very caring of him, and as he admitted to himself his youngest sister is brighter than him, (I look forward to Georgian's story!)
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
June 19, 2019
Too simple
You know from the beginning who will marry whom, but what a boring and simple way to get there. No descriptions of faces, dresses, houses or any of the usual fillers. A very different storyline but wasted. Sorry, I will not be rushing to buy from this author in the future.
You know from the beginning who will marry whom, but what a boring and simple way to get there. No descriptions of faces, dresses, houses or any of the usual fillers. A very different storyline but wasted. Sorry, I will not be rushing to buy from this author in the future.
March 17, 2018
Heartwarming
A lovely story with the perfect conclusion. I understand that reality is not as kind and perfect endings rarely come true but that's the whole point of fiction, the kind of love story that always warms the heart.
A lovely story with the perfect conclusion. I understand that reality is not as kind and perfect endings rarely come true but that's the whole point of fiction, the kind of love story that always warms the heart.
April 13, 2018
Review
Very good story, I loved the fact that they fell in love right away, I’m going to read your next books in this series, I think they will be very interesting, I truly recommend this book to everyone, thank you for this beautiful story.
Very good story, I loved the fact that they fell in love right away, I’m going to read your next books in this series, I think they will be very interesting, I truly recommend this book to everyone, thank you for this beautiful story.
April 15, 2018
Great Story
Majority of the people who knew Duke had no idea he was a broken man but his bride to be knew at first sight. This turned out to be a dream come true story fir the seamstress and the Duke.
Majority of the people who knew Duke had no idea he was a broken man but his bride to be knew at first sight. This turned out to be a dream come true story fir the seamstress and the Duke.
June 29, 2018
The Broken Duke
Another winner for Charlotte Darcy. The storylines was engaging and held surprises along the way. This was a true love story and I enjoyed reading all the twists throughout.
Another winner for Charlotte Darcy. The storylines was engaging and held surprises along the way. This was a true love story and I enjoyed reading all the twists throughout.
September 12, 2019
Love Conquers All!
After many twists and turns, swings and roundabouts, all is well. Wonderful book, well written with lots of laughs, and, yes, uncertainties, but I was mesmerized by the story line.
Charlotte as usual a truly lovely happy ever after.
After many twists and turns, swings and roundabouts, all is well. Wonderful book, well written with lots of laughs, and, yes, uncertainties, but I was mesmerized by the story line.
Charlotte as usual a truly lovely happy ever after.
May 15, 2017
Love conquer all.
This book shows that true love is always thee way to go. just trust God and let Him have His wY.
This book shows that true love is always thee way to go. just trust God and let Him have His wY.
March 17, 2018
Sweet romance. Liked it.
March 21, 2018
Good read
Enjoyed the story. Enjoyed the fast pace of the story. Characters were great. And touching on the inequality of life in recency England was done with truth and taste.
Enjoyed the story. Enjoyed the fast pace of the story. Characters were great. And touching on the inequality of life in recency England was done with truth and taste.
March 3, 2019
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
March 18, 2017
The Broken Duke
I really enjoyed this book. It had humor, romance and a little bit of this and that! I highly recommend it!
I really enjoyed this book. It had humor, romance and a little bit of this and that! I highly recommend it!
March 10, 2017
Wonderful story
The duke and Katy were lucky to have meet. So many twists to their relationship and so many problems. But good finally comes. It had an upbeat to it. Although, there are some places where you want to cry. I so enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to one and all.
The duke and Katy were lucky to have meet. So many twists to their relationship and so many problems. But good finally comes. It had an upbeat to it. Although, there are some places where you want to cry. I so enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to one and all.
October 8, 2016
Loved this sweet, clean romance. will be reading more from this author. Selfless love from sisters and lowly circumstances allow a seamstress to become a Duchess!
February 18, 2017
ENTERTAINING !
This was a very ENTERTAINING and DELIGHTFUL BOOK. I liked how they told of how some women achieved high ranking praise for their intelligence of law and math.
This was a very ENTERTAINING and DELIGHTFUL BOOK. I liked how they told of how some women achieved high ranking praise for their intelligence of law and math.
December 30, 2016
As one new to this author I must admit that my first impression is that what I read was definitely not fives star material. I place this effort in the about the upper three star range. The writing was a little better than sophomoric, but not by much; however, I was well pleased with the clean romance approach. I was greatly disappointed with the number of editing errors. Such errors as “at he sat,” “work form me,” “his kissed her,” etc. were major distractions. This small sampling demonstrates that her editor definitely needs to be replaced. As one who really enjoys Regency Romance, I was a little disappointed that the author was not true to the period, both as to customs and language. Although she tried to show women in a more dominate role as highly capable business women and estate managers, I believe this is a little premature for the times. The pace of the story was unreasonably rushed and unrealistic. A Duke falling for a seamstress and their declaring their love for each other within days of meeting is fairy land. I was impressed with the way the author treated the reality of war and its consequences on those traumatized by it. I was also impressed with the Duke’s high moral character as relates to his taking responsibility for his sisters and the tenant farmers. All this said, I am confident this author is on the right track and with more experience and additional polishing will rise to the top in the clean romance genre
July 8, 2016
Harry is a Duke, newly returned from ten years fighting in war. He has come home to learn his estates are in bad shape. He has left all to an estate manager, who it seems knows more about greed, and less about doing the Dukes bidding. Katie is a seamstress in London, who also designs clothes. She meets the Duke during a mishap, and he finds her kindness, and sense of humor ,and propriety , most refreshing. They become friends, and Harry finds himself falling for her. It will take more than love, or care to rebuild the Dutchy, and marriage for wealth , seems the only course. I liked the story, but did not love it. It was a sweet story, but seemed flat to me. The couple had no witty dialogue, or playful teasing. No arguments, and they fell in love in a few days. His sister's who were angels it seems, only wanted their brother happy, with no care to their futures. It felt a bit to pat for me. He had a bit to overcome, but in a week's time all was solved, and happy ever after was experienced by all. I gave three stars since the author did stay true to the period, but it lacked true emotion, and I never really connected with anyone, on a deep level. I did not laugh, or rejoice, or feel sad, or anything...just a sweet story, I will not remember tomorrow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews